The Toyota Cheetahs will be targeting a fast start to their Currie Cup title defence when they face the Griffons on the weekend in Bloemfontein.

A few more new faces were at the Cheetahs training on Monday and they included the former Griquas captain Pieter Janse van Vuren and the former Griffons centre, Carel-Jan Coetzee.

In addition, the former Lions and Pumas hooker, Corné Fourie, as well as the Bulls prop Robert Hunt, are in Bloemfontein on loan.

The Cheetahs assistant coach, Charl Strydom, told OFM Sport that the Griffons won’t be an easy opponent to face despite the player exodus that occurred at the union between the SA Cup and Currie Cup.

“They’ve had two really good warm-up games against the Griquas and against the Pumas, and they did well in those two matches especially with all the number of guys they lost. There were some really nice players that they lost there, especially if you lock at the back-three, that went to Boland and the lock.

“They are going to be depleted, but you know with those teams, there's always another guy coming in that's looking to stake a claim.

“For us like you said, we've got to get back on the horse, we didn't have a good SA Cup, we gave some players chances, but now we're back into a settled side and we've got to really just find a way that made us win games, we've got to get that back and you know try and force that game on to other teams.”

Strydom added that they are in a strong group for the Currie Cup and as the champions will have a target on their backs, but they also have to get off to a flying start, especially as they have games against Western Province and the Bulls lying ahead.

“There is quality in both of those groups, so the first game is against the Griffons and then we've got another home game against Western Province, and then we shift our focus to the Bulls.

“There are strong squads all around, and I think there are a lot of quality players that didn't get a chance in the URC, and they are now obviously available in the Currie Cup, so it's going to be guys that's playing for contracts and that makes it dangerous.

“We are the defending champs, and again, we've got to play that way.”

Saturday’s Free State derby at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 13:55.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport